Our Emergency Team

In Dec 2015, Boise, Eliot and Humboldt neighbors formed a Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness group to help residents prepare for earthquakes and other emergencies. All are welcome to join this group. Some of the group members are certified by the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM) as Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) responders. Anyone can take this training, and you can sign up for the class waiting list here.

Q: When is shelter the best response and when is evacuation the best response?A: Evacuation is typically used when there is an impending hurricane or tornado, but those hazards are unlikely to occur here in Portland. After an earthquake, the most likely response will be sheltering in place. Still, it could be helpful to keep a mini-emergency kit in your car, in case of a hazardous materials accident or some other kind of incident where evacuation is recommended.

Q: For those who work downtown, which bridges are most likely to survive and earthquake? What can parents do to prepare for a situation where they are stuck on the other side of the river?A: The new Tilikum Crossing and the new Sellwood Bridge are designed to meet high seismic standards. That said, there is no guarantee that these bridges will be left standing after a major earthquake. For parents working on the other side of the river, it's wise to identify a trusted neighbor who can be responsible for taking care of the kids.

Q: What would happen to our water supply in the event of an earthquake?A: It is likely that our water supply would be compromised. The best way to prepare is to store water in your home or garage. You can use your water heater as a storage tank for use in emergencies, unless you have a tankless water heater. Five-gallon bottles of water are another good option. It is recommended to plan for at least two weeks of food and water, with a recommended one gallon of water per person, per day.

Q: If the telecommunication infrastructure is disabled, how would we get news or seek help?A: If a major earthquake knocks out our communication system, you can go to the nearest BEECN (Basic Earthquake Emergency Communication Node) which is located at Jefferson High School. Each BEECN site will have resources such as water and first aid. You will be able to report severe damage and injuries there. Unthank Park is also a designated staging area, which would have less infrastructure than a BEECN, but would be much easier for many in our neighborhood to access.

Q: What is Portland doing to prepare for earthquakes and other hazards? Are there plans and, if so, can I see the plans?A: Portland has several different types of emergency plans and risk reduction strategies, which you can access on the planning page of the PBEM website.

Q: Where can I get more information about potential hazards and how to prepare for them?A: The hazards page of the PBEM website has a wealth of information about potential hazards and how you can prepare for them. One of the projects this group will be working on are neighborhood-scale detailed hazards map, and individual (2-block radius) asset maps.